My Millermatic 251 just arrived... Passport?

[unixadm]

You'll like that saw a lot! Be sure to order some bi-metal blades. I really like the 20-24 VP bi-metal from Grizzly. I use it for everything.

Even though the table (if you can call it that) is small, I use it lots in the vertical position and it works very well.

You got some great tools and I think that when you get the Passport, you'll want to find a reason to take it around and weld "portable".

You can fill your own internal bottles if you get a CO2 tank with a dip tube and a fill unit and scale from a paintball supply company. I got mine at anythingxtreme.com

Bob - you're one of the reasons I bought this saw. I read your posts on the Hobart forum about the Grizzly unit. I even bought 2 blades last night (Bi-Metal, 20-24 VP), the exact sames ones you use from Girzzly! Did your saw come with a verticle table? I emailed Grizzly and they said the saw didn't come with a table - so I'm confused about that.

Also I'm already looking at a fill station for the CO2 bottles. My buddy has a 20lb CO2 tank, scale and fill. His is a non-dip tube tank so you have to flip it upside down to fill. I'm just going to buy the right DIP tube tank - but I'll have him fill my first couple of tanks on the Passport when I get it.

[unixadm]

Holy saw teeth Batman, a mitering bandsaw for at 199.00 plus shipping. It's imperative we acquire one for the Bat Cave!

Be sure to give us an update after you have had it awhile. Would be great to read a review after you have run it through the paces.

That is incredible!
Jesse

.... Easy does it Robin

Go over to http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/index.php?

Do a search for "Homier" and you'll find several posts with pics of the unit. From what I read, everyone is happy. It's the same unit Grizzly sells for about $500 shipped. The shipping price quoted on Homier's website was $150, however I bought the Bandsaw, MIG Cart and a Digital Caliper and shipping was only $122 from IN to Sacramento, CA. So the shipping cost on their site is just an estimate - once you go through the order process the price should be lower. I'll surely post a quick update once I get it. But from what I've read, it's a good solid unit for the price that will do a great job in a home shop.

[neophyte]

Also I'm already looking at a fill station for the CO2 bottles. My buddy has a 20lb CO2 tank, scale and fill. His is a non-dip tube tank so you have to flip it upside down to fill. I'm just going to buy the right DIP tube tank - but I'll have him fill my first couple of tanks on the Passport when I get it.

I picked up my fill station on Ebay for 31.00 plus shipping. the sellers name was supply(n)demand. I believe this unit retails for 59.99.(pic attached) The least expensive bottles I found were at actionvillage.com @ 12.99. I bought my 20# Co2 tank w/syphon tube from a gent locally for 125.00. He works for the gas outfit up here and had a spare tank at home for his kids paintball guns. I think I saved a few bucks?

BTW
I have been splitting the rent with a chap on a welding shop for the past couple of months fabricating handrail. I have watched him on numerous occasions dragging his Co2 tank around the job sites with his little (65 lb & wire) RED 110v outfit. Yesterday was the first time we took my Passport out with us to the jobsite. His response after using it to tack up grab-rail on a flight of stairs?? "That's sweet", he said.

Jesse
Rub-it-in - Rub-it-in...

[Bob Sigmon]

The 'vertical table' is about 2" X 2". I thought about making a larger table but I found that it was easy to use just as it was. It has actually allowed me to make cuts that would have been hard if the table had been larger.

Let us know how you like it when you get it! The hydraulic feed is very nice and easy to hook up and unhook for vertical.

[MAC702]

I've decided I'm getting the Passport before I get the Maxstar 150 STH, buying in about 60 days.

If anyone needs one right away, there's currently a factory-reconditioned (already) unit on eBay for $150 less than the price of a new one; two-year warranty.

[unixadm]

I saw that refurb one up on Ebay - but to me it's not worth it. If it were like $1050 that would be more like it. It's been listed at least 2 times and has not sold yet.

Bob - do you have a picture of the little 2x2 table for your bandsaw?

Thanks!

[Bob Sigmon]

Mac,

You will love the Passport! You'll really like the portability, you could take it with you!

unixadm,

Here a picture of the table. Like i said small but effective.

[MAC702]

Mac,

You will love the Passport! You'll really like the portability, you could take it with you!

Oh, I know! At less than 50 pounds each, I could take a Dynasty 200DX and a Passport. The wife would have to take all the clothes and my suits, though; plus our 100# of other tools. BUT, since our international work is almost exclusively electrical, I think I'll settle for the Maxstar 150 STH for the airplane rides... :-)

But our next assignment won't be for a least 6 months, so the Passport will get the most use in the meantime, definitely.

[90blackcrx]

Mac,

You will love the Passport! You'll really like the portability, you could take it with you!

unixadm,

Here a picture of the table. Like i said small but effective.

Did not read the whole thread, but that saw looks like the one I have, bought at harbor freight. And it comes with a bigger table for verticle use.

Here is the review I wrote on it

I have heard so many horror stories about this saw, but after I talked to a guy that used it to completely build his car, which can be found here
http://www.kimini.com/ well I had second thoughts on it

So after hearing his review I decided to give it a try

Assembly
First things first, it takes about an 1 hour to set up, a little longer if your messing around with a buddy.

I was also surprised by the size, on the website it seems so big. But when I saw it in the store it surprised me on how little it is.

There are also a few presets that you need to set, I can see a lot of people skipping these little steps and having so many problems with it

Cutting Review
Well after putting it together I was ready to cut with it, I just cut a piece of 2.25 piping I had laying around, the first try did not go so well. The blade basically stopped and got thrown off track. After a few minor adjustments were made ( still needs to be set a little better ) I was able to make a complete cut. And let me tell you, it produces nice clean and accurate cuts. I messed around with some round bar and it cut right threw it like butter. It also have an automatic shut off switch which is really nice

Things to look out for
I'm assuming the blade they supply you with is crap, it got about 4 cuts done and already needs to be replaced. ( I can only assume because I have not tried another blade and I never ever used a band saw in my life )

Also the instructions they supply you are not really that great.

Also around here, it was marked at 189.00 but it was coming up on the computer at 159.00, before the guy could call the manager, the lady rang me up and I got 30 dollars off. Plus I have a $10 coupon which I will supply below.

I guess my final word of advice is, if your like me and you don't have thousands to spend on a band saw, and you have patients ( not the type of person who will slam the band saw down and apply mads amount of force on it ) then this band saw is for you. The price is really nice, I know a lot of people will disagree with almost everything I say, but these are probably the same people who have the option to use 1,000 dollar machines every day. This is a nice tool for a home garage, if you have a big business, I'm sure you would not buy this. But if your working in your garage from time to time, this is a nice piece.

I give it
:thumbup: :thumbup:

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask here



Coupon



Check these links out also

http://www.mini-lathe.com/Bandsaw/Bandsaw.htm

[Bob Sigmon]

90,

It's a totally different saw. Has no out of the box problems. Cuts well at any angle. Blade stays on the wheels (they have a shoulder on the back side of the wheel and the blade can't fall off) The stand is very solid and no rebuild is necessary. Good motor with a realistic hp rating (no problems with mine so far)

[neophyte]

You can fill your own internal bottles if you get a CO2 tank with a dip tube and a fill unit and scale from a paintball supply company. I got mine at anythingxtreme.com

Bob,
What make and model scale are you using to fill your Co2 tanks with. I looked at a couple digital fish scales today locally but am not real impressed. Was hoping to find one with a some degree of accuracy. (Not tenth of a pound accuracy like I came across.)
Jesse

[Bob Sigmon]

There really isn't anything to terrific out there.

This is the scale that I got from anythingxtreme.com.

It is made by/for Pure Energy, that also manufactures the 12oz bottles.

The unit measures in oz/kg and is accurate enough. I can take the bottle right up to 12oz and filling is easy.

This is the fill station that I use.

I hope this helps,

[Sundown]

Oh, I know! At less than 50 pounds each, I could take a Dynasty 200DX and a Passport. The wife would have to take all the clothes and my suits, though; plus our 100# of other tools. BUT, since our international work is almost exclusively electrical, I think I'll settle for the Maxstar 150 STH for the airplane rides... :-)

But our next assignment won't be for a least 6 months, so the Passport will get the most use in the meantime, definitely.

Just for info the more I use this STH the more I really like it, There was a time that I thought that when I needed to do some thin aluminum I would sell it and get a D200DX, but I'm liking it so much that I am sure when the time comes I will get a TA 185TSW to have along side of the STH. As for the Passport, it certinly has some great features, and the guys who have reported on it really like it. I tested it twice and felt that I could take it or leave it, unlike the MM210 which I couldn't live without.

[neophyte]

There really isn't anything to terrific out there.

That is what I was afraid of but maybe I am being too picky. I will probably just run back to wallyworld in the morning and pick up the scale there.

Got my fill station today, (BTW-not as nice as yours) but the plastic knob on the tank fill adapter was busted in shipping. So far the guy I bought it from on Ebay would rather I sent him the whole thing back instead of just sending me a new knob/screw assembly (about a .60 cent item at Reid Supply Company). I might just stick a 1/4"x20 in it and call it good.

Thank you,
Jesse

[neophyte]

Just for info the more I use this STH the more I really like it, There was a time that I thought that when I needed to do some thin aluminum I would sell it and get a D200DX, but I'm liking it so much that I am sure when the time comes I will get a TA 185TSW to have along side of the STH. As for the Passport, it certinly has some great features, and the guys who have reported on it really like it. I tested it twice and felt that I could take it or leave it, unlike the MM210 which I couldn't live without.

If you do decide to sell the STH give me a shout. I'm sure you would really like the D200DX ..... I'm just sure of it!! .... besides... I could really use the STH

Jesse